Side frame



P R. B. COTTl RELL 2,295,936

- SIDE FRAME Filed Dec. 24, 1958 2 Shoe t 1 w I fZo'berZfB. CoZZ/eZZ, @u; A

ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR.

R. B. COTTRELL Sept. 15, 1942.

S IDE FRAME Filed Dec. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 2 I w IIIIIIIII/ fir/111171111, 5

IN VENT OR JZoberi .5 COflfeZZ,

1. BY ATTORNEY.

v Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UN lTE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE SIDE FRAME Robert B. Cottrell, Chicago,. 111., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a cor.- poration of New Jersey Application December 24, 1938, Serial No. 247,618

:4 Claims.

My invention relates to a side frame for a railway car truck and more particularly to a well known type of such structure generally designated a truss side frame. Such a frame is commonly formed with a tension member, a compression member, and spaced columns joining said members at intermediate points to form therebetween'an opening for connection to the'load carrying member. Such frames may or may not have the journal boxes integrally formed therewith.

For many years such frames have been produced by a process of casting because the complexity of the design made it extremely difllcult to fabricate such a structure capable of passing the rigid test requirements to which they are commonly subjected. with the advent of welding various abortive efforts have been made to design a truss type side frame fabricated from standard rolled sections welded together. None of the proposed designs, however, have been successful from a practical commercial standpoint,

An objectof my invention? is to devise a form of truss side frame built up from standard rolled sections welded together in such a manner as toform a compact structure capable of meeting the present rigid test requirements while at the same time comprising a relatively light weight structure.

A more specific object ofmy invention is to devise a truss type side frame wherein the tension member and compression member are each formed of a single piece of seamless steel tubing. Another object of my invention is to devise a welded type of side frame built up of standard rolled sections which is suitable for use with an integrally welded'iournal box.

My invention further wcom prehends various novel details of construction and assembly, the -ieatures of which will bemoreapparent from a consideration of the drawings and the descriptive material forming a part of this application. Figure 1 is a .side elevation of my novel side frame design, only one half ofthe structure being shown inasmuch as it is the same at opposite ends;

Figure 1A is an end view ofthe structureshown in Figure 1, the view being taken substantially as indicated by the line A-A'of1"lgure1and 7 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the frame Figure 4 is a sectional view through the structure shown in Figures ,1 to 3, the section being taken substantially in the vertical plane bisecting it transversely and as indicated by the line structure between the journal box and the column taken substantially in the planes indicated by the line 5-4 of Figure 1.

'a single box section at the ends thereof. The

tension and compression members I06 and III. are welded as at Ii I where their inner edges abut and also along their longitudinal abutting edges as indicated at 2 where the trimmed portions have been cut away so that the two members merge to form a single member over the journal box having the section best indicated by the end view of Figure 1A. The said trimming operation permits the saving of some metal and accommodates a more compact arrangement over the journal box I." which is welded thereto and provided with the reinforcing welded U-shaped gusset II. The central portion of the frame shown in this modification has the spring seat member I welded on the horizontal portion of the top chord of the tension member I withreinforcing ribs ll and I II and has the beaded vertical flanges III and III forming the troughcured at the juncture of the column Ill and the tension member I". A reinforcing means is provided between the tension member I" and the compression member I" outwardly of the columns in the form of the large plate gusset I32 which is welded about its periphery to the tension member, and compression member and i also along its inner edge in abutment with the column I24. The said gusset "2 is also welded along its outermost edge as at Ill to the U- shaped gusset "Land said gusset I8! is welded. v

between the tension member I08 and the compression member I".

It isto be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a truss side frame comprising tension and compression members formed of seamless tubing, each of said members having an approximatly oval cross-section throughout its length and mer with the other of said members adjacent the ends thereof to form a substantially integral structure, spaced vertical chan nel shaped rolled members welded between said tension and compression members to form bolster guide columns, and gusset members welded between said tension and compression members adjacent their merging ends, each of said gusset members comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel thereof, and a plurality of channel members welded between said spring seat and said compression member to form bolster guide columns.

3. In a welded truss side frame, tension and compression members of seamless tubing of generally oval shape from end to end and merging adjacent their ends in an integral structure of box-section havinga greater cross-section than any section through either of said members, said tension member comprising a horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, a spring seat of channel section welded on said tension member and extending from approximately the midpoint of one of said end portions therealong to approximately the midpoint of the other thereof, and channel guide column members welded between said spring seat and said compression member. Y

4. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members having substantially oval cross-section and merging adjacent their ends in a portion of relatively large cross-section as compared with that of either of said members, said tension member comprising a central horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, 8 spring seat welded to said tension member therealong between approximately the midpoints of said diagonal portions, and guide columns welded between said compression member and said spring seat adjacent the ends of said horizontal portion. 7

' 5. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members of substantially oval crosssection merging adjacent their ends in portions of relatively large cross-section as compared with either of said members, each of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and diagonal end portions, spaced struts welded between said members and merging with said compression member adjacent the ends of said horizontal portion, and a spring seat continuously welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of said diagonal portions.

6. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members of substantially oval crosssection merging adjacent their ends in portions of relatively large cross-section as compared with either of said members, each of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and diagonal end portions, spaced struts welded between said members and merging with said compression-member adjacent the ends of said horizontal portion, and a spring seat welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of said diagonal portions, said spring seat confining the lowerends of saidstruts and being welded thereto.

'7. A welded truss side frame comprising tubular tension and compression members of substantially box-section merging adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater area than other portions of said members, said tension member comprising a horizontal portion and diagonal end portions, spaced struts welded between said members, and a spring seat portion welded to said tension member entirely therealong between approximately the midpoints of said end portions, said spring seat portion comprising flanges embracing and welded to the lower ends of said struts.

8. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members of generally oval crosssection, each of said members having a relatively wide and shallow section adjacent the midportion thereof and gradually changing into a relatively deep and narrow portion adjacent the ends thereof, said members merging at their end portions in a box-section of greater area than either of said members elsewhere, said frame comprising spaced guide columns welded between said tension and compression members to form a bolster opening and spaced windows, and a spring seat continuously welded along said tension member from one of said windows to the other thereof.

9. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members of generally oval crosssection, each of said members having a relatively wide and shallow section adjacent the midportion thereof and gradually changing into a relatively deep and narrow portion adjacent the ends thereof, said members merging at their end portions in a box-section of greater area than either of said members elsewhere, said frame comprising spaced guide columns welded between said tension and compression members 'to form a bolster opening and spaced windows, and a springseat continuously welded along said tension member from one of said windows to the other thereof, said spring seat comprising vertical flanges embracing the feet ofsaid columns and welded thereto.

10. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members .ofgenerally oval crosssection, each of said members having a relatively wide and shallow section adjacent the midportion thereof and gradually changing into a relatively deep and narrow portion adjacent the ends thereof, said members merging at their end portions in a box-section of greater area than either of said members elsewhere, said frame comprising spaced guide columns welding beapoaoso of sai members comprising a central norizo tal portion and diagonal end portions mergingtween said tension compressionmembers to fonn a bolster opening'and spaced .windows, a

spring seat continuously welded along said tension member from one of said windows to the other thereof. said spring seat comprising vertical flanges embracing the feet of said columns and welded theretdand bolster guide means centrally secured on said columns both vertically and laterally thereof and spaced from said tension and compression members. 1

11. In a trus side frame, tubular tension and 1 compression members of generally oval cross-section, each of said members having arelatively A wide and shallow section adjacent-the midportion thereof and gradually changing into a relatively deep and narrow portion adjacent the ends thereof, said members merging at their end portions in a boxfsection of greater area than either of said members elsewhere, said frame comprising spaced guide columns welded between sion and compression members, said guide means comprising a vertical cylindrical surface interrupted centrally thereof by a vertical guide flange.

t 12. In a welded side frame, tubular tension and compression members of oval section merg- 1 ing adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said members elsewhere, both of said members comprising a horizontal midportion and diagonal'end portions, a spring seat welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of its diagonal portions, and spaced struts welded between said members and merging with one of said members adjacentthe ends of said horizontal portion.

13. In a welded side frame, tubular tension and compression members of oval section merging adjacent their ends in a box-section of sub-- stantially greater depth than either of said members-elsewhere, both of said members comprising a horizontal midportion and diagonal end portions, a spring seat welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of its diagonal portions, and spaced struts welded between said members and merging with one of said'members adjacent the ends of said horinontal portion, the lower ends, of said struts being welded to said spring seat.

a ite.

adjacent their ends in a section of substantially greater depth than either of said members,

spaced struts welded between said members to form therewith a bolster opening and spaced windows, and composite gussets welded in each of said windows and comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined bysaid members and at least one web transverse thereto.

16. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of oval section, each of said members comprising a central horizontal portion and diagonal end portions merging ad- Jacent their ends in a section of substantially greater depththan either of said members,- spaced struts welded between said members to form therewitha bolster opening and spaced windows, composite gussets welded in each of said windows and comprisinga plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined by said members and at least one web transverse thereto, and a spring seat welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of said windows.

17. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of oval section, each of said members comprising a central horizontal portion and diagonal end portions merging adjacent their ends in a section of substantially greater depth than either of said members,

- spaced struts welded between said members to form therewith a bolster opening and spaced windows, composite gussets welded in each of said windows and comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined by said members and at least one web transverse thereto, and a spring seat welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of said windows, said spring seat having vertical flanges embracing the feet of said struts and welded thereto.

18. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of box-section mergin'g adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said memportions, Said end portions having greater depth of section throughout their length than the depth l of section of said horizontal portion and gradu- 14. In a welded side frame, tubular tension and compression members of oval section merging advertical flanges embracing the lower ends of said struts and welded thereto.

15. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compressionmembers -of oval-section, each ally increasing in depth from said horizontal portion toward the extremity thereof.

19. In a welded side frame, tubular tension and compression members of generally oval section merging adjacent their ends in a box section of substantially greater depth than either of said members elsewhere, each of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and a diagonally arranged end portion, both of said mem-' bers having 'a section of relatively shallow depth along the horizontal portion and a gradually increasing depth therefrom toward. the point of mergence of said members where maximum depth is aiforded. I

20. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of box-section merg ing adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said members elsewhere, both of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and diagonally arranged end portions, both of said members hav-,-

'ing a box-section of relatively shallow depth along the horizontal portion thereof and a gradually increasing depth therefrom toward the point of mergence of said members where maximum depth is afforded, and a Spring seat continuously welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of' its diagonal portions.

21. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of box-section merging adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said members elsewhere, both of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and diagonally arranged end portions, both of said members having a box-section of relatively shallow depth along the horizontal portion thereof and a gradually increasing depth therefrom toward the point of mergence of said members where maximum depth is afforded, a spring seat continuously welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of its diagonal portions, and spaced struts welded between said members adjacent the ends of said horizontal portions to form a bolster opening.

22. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of box-section merging adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said mem bers elsewhere, both of said members comprising a horizontal central portion and diagonally arranged end portions, both of said members having a box-section of relatively shallow depth along the horizontal portion thereof and a gradually increasing depth therefrom toward the point of mergence of said members where maximum depth is afforded, a spring seat continuously welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of its diagonal portions, and spaced struts welded between said members adjacent the ends of said horizontal portions to form a bolster opening, said spring seat having vertical flanges embracing the feet of said struts and welded thereto.

23. In a truss side frame comprising tension and compression members formed of seamless tubing, each of said members having an approximately oval cross-section throughout its length and merging with the other of said members adjacent the ends thereof to form a substantially integral structure, spaced vertical channelshaped rolled members welded between said tension and compression members to form bolster guide columns, and gusset members welded between said tension and compression members adjacent their merging ends, each of said gusset members comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined by said tension and compression members.

24. In a truss side frame comprising tension and compression members formed of seamless tubing, each of said members having an approximately oval cross-section throughout its length and merging with the other of said members adjacent the ends thereof to form a substantially integral structure, spaced vertical channelshaped rolled. members welded between said tension and compression members to form bolster guide columns, gusset members welded between said tension and compression members adjacent their merging'ends. each of said gusset members comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined'by said tension and compression members, and Journal boxes welded to said frame at the opposite ends thereof.

25. In combination, a welded side frame comprising tubular' tension and compression members of generally oval cross-sectionmerging adjacent their ends in a portion larger than any cross-section through either of said members, said tension member comprising a horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, 8.

spring seat welded on said tension member and extending therealong from approximately the midpoint of one of said diagonal portions to approximately the midpoint of the other thereof, and a plurality of channel members welded between said spring seat and said compression member to form bolster guide columns, and composite gusset members welded between said tension and compression members, each of said gusset members comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the Plane of said frame.

26. In a welded truss side frame, tension and compression members of seamless tubing of generally oval shape from end to end and merging adjacent their ends in an integral structureof box-section having a greater cross-section than any section through either of said members, said tension member comprising a horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, a spring seat of channel section welded on said tension member and extending from approximately the midpoint of one of said end portions therealong to approximately the midpoint of the other thereof, and channel guide column members welded between said spring seat and said compression member, and gusset means welded between said tension and compression members, each of said gusset means comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane of said frame.

27. In a welded truss side frame, tension and compression members of seamless tubing of generally oval shape from end to end and merging adjacent their ends in an integral structure of box-section having a greater cross-section than any section through either of said members, said tension member comprising a horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, a spring seat of channel section welded on said tension member and extending from approximately the midpoint of one of said end portions therealong to approximately the midpoint of the other thereof, and channel guide column members welded between said spring seat and said compression member, and journal boxes welded to said tension member at the ends of said frame.

28. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members having substantially oval cross-section and merging adjacent their ends in a portion of relatively large cross-section a compared with that of either of said members, said tension member comprising a central horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end portions, a

' spring seat welded to said tension member therealong between approximately the midpoints of said diagonal portions, and guide columns welded between said compression member and said spring seat adjacent the ends of said horizontal portion, and gusset means welded between said tension and compression member and comprising a web in a plane parallel to the plane of said frame, and a web transverse thereto.

29. In a truss side frame, tubular tension and 4 compression members having substantially oval cross-section and merging adjacent their ends in a portion or relatively large cross-section as compared with that of either of said members, said tension member comprising a central horizontal spring seat portion and diagonal end po'rtions, a spring seat welded to said tension mem ber there along between approximately the midpoints of saiddiagonal portions, and guide columns welded between said compression member and said spring seat adjacent the ends of said horizontal portion,pand journal boxes welded to opposite ends-of-said frame.

30.A welded truss. ide frame comprising comprising spaced guide columns welded between tubular tension and compression members of i substantially box-section merging adjacent their ends in abort-section of substantially greater area than other .portionsof said members, said tensionmember comprising a horizontal portion and diagonal end portions, spaced struts welded between said members; and a spring seat portion L welded to said tension member entirely therealong between approximately the midpoints of said tension and compression members to form a bolster opening and spaced windows, a spring seat continuously welded along said tension membar from one of said windows to the other thereof, said spring seat comprising vertical flanges embracing the feet of said columns and welded thereto, and bolster guide means centrally secured on said columns both vertically and lat- 1 erally thereof and spaced from said tension and compression members, said guide means comprising a vertical cylindrical surface interrupted centrally thereof by a vertical guide flange, and

said end p'ortions,'said spring seat portion com- I prising flanges-embracing and welded to the l0wer' ends of said struts, and gusset means welded between said members at each end of said frame,.'each ofsaid gusset-means comprisin a 'Web transverse to the plane of said frame, and

a web parallel therewith.

31. In a truss sideframe, tubular tension and v compression members of generally oval cross section, each of said members having a relatively wide and shallowsection adjacent the midportion thereof and gradually-changing into a relatively 'deep and narrow. portion adjacent the ends thereof; said members merging at their end 1 portions in'a box-section or greater area thaneither of saidmembers elsewhere, said frame comprising spaced guide columns welded between said tension and compression members to iorm'a bolster opening andspaced windows, and

a spring seat continuo'usly'welded along said ten-' sion member from-one of said windows to the other'thereof, said spring seat comprising vertical flanges embracing the feet of said'columns and welded thereto, and gusset means welded between said members at each end of said frame,

each of said 'gussetmeans comprising a plurality of webs parallel to the plane of said frame.

, therewith a bolster opening and spaced windows,

32. In'a truss side frame, tubular tension and compression members of generally oval cross-. section, each of said'members :having a relatively wide and shallow section adjacent the mid- 7 portion thereof and gradually changing into a relatively deep and narrow portion adjacentthe ends thereof. said members merging at their'end frame. pportions in abox-section-oi greater area than either of said. members elsewhere, said frame and composite gussets welded in each of said windows and comprising a plurality of webs in planes parallel to the plane defined by said members.

34. In a built-up side frame, tubular tension and compression members of box-section merging adjacent their ends in a box-section of substantially greater depth than either of said members elsewhere, both of said members comprising 'a horizontal central portion and diagonally arranged end portions, both of said members having a box-section of relatively shallow depth along the horizontal portion thereof and a grad:

ually increasing depth therefrom toward the point of mergence of said members where maximum depth is afforded, and a spring seat con- ,tinucusly welded along said tension member between approximately the midpoints of its diagonal portions, and gusset means welded between said members at each end of the frame, each of said gussetmeans comprising a-plurality planesparallel to the plane of said ROBERT B. co'rramn. 

